Is It Normal for a Battery to Heat Up During Charging?
2 Answers
It is not normal for a battery to heat up during charging. Here are some precautions regarding battery charging: 1. Avoid storing the battery in a discharged state: A discharged state refers to when the battery is not charged promptly after use. In this state, sulfation is likely to occur, where lead sulfate crystals form on the plates, blocking ion channels and leading to insufficient charging and reduced battery capacity. The longer the battery remains idle in a discharged state, the more severe the damage. When the battery is not in use, it should be charged once a month to extend its lifespan. 2. Regular inspection is necessary: During use, if the electric bicycle's range suddenly drops by more than ten kilometers in a short period, it is highly likely that at least one battery in the pack has issues such as broken grids, softened plates, or shedding of active material from the plates, which can cause short circuits.
It's actually quite normal for the battery to get a bit warm during charging, as the flow of current in the process generates some heat. I often deal with various cars and see many owners not paying much attention to this. However, if it becomes scalding hot, there might be an issue, such as an internal short circuit or the charger voltage being too high. I've handled quite a few cases where owners ignored overheating batteries, leading to explosions or fires, posing significant safety risks. It's best to charge in a well-ventilated area, not in an enclosed space. At the same time, monitoring the temperature is crucial—just a mild warmth to the touch is fine; if it's too hot, stop charging immediately. Regular maintenance can also prevent such incidents, and checking the battery's health can extend its lifespan, saving money and ensuring peace of mind.